Happy July! Today I’m taking a teacher poll with comments. I’d like to know what you think about making July the Do-What-You-Want-to-Do Month for Teachers.

I love the idea! Most teachers have had a few weeks to unwind from the breakneck speed of the school year. And while thoughts of the new school year are never far away, the start of school is still several weeks out. This makes July the perfect month for teachers to truly do what they want to do (when they want to do it)!

I’m wondering about the name of this special month. National Do-What-You-Want-to-Do Month for Teachers is a mouthful, isn’t it? Maybe National DWYWD Month for Teachers is better? Or perhaps we could use just the first and last words of the name… Oh, nope! That won’t work. Well, we can work on the name together if the idea is worth considering.  Whatcha think?

Voting yes,

Diane

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Happy Friday to ya! I just had the best time reading the comments for “Squeezing In Science.” Have you read them? I can’t wait to get home to microwave a flower. Actually, there’s a microwave in our kitchen; so if I can find a flower around here, I won’t even have to wait until I get home!

Be sure to check out the post and comments. In addition to some great ideas for squeezing in science, you’ll find the details to our latest book giveaway. In fact, let’s add this post to the giveaway too; leave a comment here, and we’ll enter your name for an additional chance to win! (See, this is what happens when you fire up my curiosity!)

Let’s chat about favorite science topics and themes, great children’s books for integrating science, and simple science experiments that amaze your students. How fun is that?

Bring on the comments! And if you’re traveling this holiday weekend, please buckle up and be safe!

Diane

Congrats to our contest winners: Deanna, Tina, and Debbie!

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Teaching is full of the unexpected, wouldn’t you agree? No matter how carefully a teacher plans her day (I’m going to sound like a weather forecaster now), there’s a 90% chance that the unexpected will happen. The crazy part of my personality gets a tiny rush from this—the logical part, not so much!

Just this past weekend, my boss’s teenage daughter became trapped in the bathroom of a beach rental. Not something you’d expect to happen. It’s a hilarious story with a happy ending; thank goodness teenage girls carry their cell phones everywhere. As for me, I certainly didn’t expect that time a student of mine refused to leave the lavatory. I had to pull the parent card for that one. “Well, that’s perfectly fine, Nathaniel. Make yourself comfortable while I give your dad a call.”

My best advice for the unexpected is to remain calm, act like the situation is under control, and try to think logically. Oh yes! And when a little one is racing toward you with wide eyes and both hands clasped to her mouth—grab a trash can!

What’s your best advice for handling the unexpected?

Smiles,

Diane

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